12:32 The EU has paid new aid for 1.5 billion
The European Commission today disbursed a second tranche of €1.5 billion to Ukraine as part of a macro-financial assistance package of up to €18 billion. The support, he said in a statement, will help Ukraine continue to pay salaries and pensions and keep essential public services running, such as hospitals, schools and shelters for displaced people. It will also enable Ukraine to ensure macroeconomic stability and restore destroyed critical infrastructure such as energy, water systems, transport networks, roads and bridges. The payment will be made after the Commission has verified that Ukraine has made satisfactory progress towards the implementation of agreed policy conditionality and reporting requirements aimed at ensuring transparent and efficient use of funds. Ukraine has made important progress in strengthening the rule of law with the appointment of a new head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Financial stability has been enhanced by advances in better supervision of state-owned banks. The functioning of the gas system will be improved thanks to the election of a Naftogaz board of directors, and there will be a better climate for business thanks to easier requirements for licenses and permits. A first payment of 3 billion euros from this package had already been made in January. The Commission will continue to provide financial assistance to Ukraine at a rate of €1.5 billion per month for the remainder of 2023.
12:18 UN, Italy supports investigation into atrocities
Italy today expressed its full support for investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the UN Commission of Inquiry and other initiatives to establish accountability for violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and crimes related to Russian aggression. This was said today in Geneva by the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi. “For over a year, Russia’s war of unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, a gross violation of the UN Charter and a threat to international security and stability, has caused tremendous suffering to the Ukrainian people, including children and other innocent civilians,” he said Permanent Representatives of Italy in the interactive dialogue with the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry into Ukraine at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council. “It – he added – is also causing a global upheaval with serious negative repercussions, including on food and energy security, especially for the most vulnerable countries in many parts of the world.” The Permanent Representative underlined that Italy was very concerned about this Continued emergence of information, also thanks to the report of the Commission of Inquiry, about violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and related crimes in Ukraine, including attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, summary executions, unlawful detention, torture, sexual and gender-based violence , as well as forcible renditions and deportations of children. “A lasting peace is our ultimate goal, but it cannot be achieved without justice and without full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable. Therefore, we continue to support the investigations of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Commission of Inquiry and other initiatives to establish responsibility,” Ambassador Grassi finally affirmed, reaffirming Italy’s full solidarity with Ukraine and its people.
12:13 China, Russia open to peace talks
After Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia, Beijing’s contacts with Moscow will contribute to peace. Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in the daily briefing, “Russia has carefully studied China’s position paper on the political solution to the crisis in Ukraine and is open to peace talks.” President Vladimir Putin said, “Russia appreciates China’s firm stance, fairness, To maintain objectivity and balance on important international issues. China will continue to make Sino-Russian relations a priority.”
12:12 Meloni, “Pressure on Moscow essential for the negotiation process”
“The pressure exerted on Moscow is essential to ensure respect for international law and to favor the negotiation process to achieve a just peace”, conditions “which are not yet mature, but which we must perseverely pursue”. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said so in the Senate room during her announcements ahead of the next European Council.
12:01 Media, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida arrived in Kiev
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has arrived. This was reported by Japanese media after the Foreign Ministry announced that the prime minister was on a surprise trip to the Ukrainian capital. Kishida will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
11:59 Meloni, military assistance required. no more lies
Support to Ukraine “will be ensured in all areas for as long as necessary, we will continue to do so without calculating any impact on the consensus, because it is right to do so, including in terms of values. Military aid to Ukraine is necessary”. So Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in communications to the Senate in view of the next European Council. “We will keep our commitments, freedom has its price. We will offer the people of Kiev a shield against Russian bombing,” the prime minister said. Meloni does not hide his anger at those who say “Italy is spending money” to the detriment of Italians. “Enough Meonzogne,” he notes, “Italy is sending material and components already in its possession to Ukraine.”
11:41 Gdf, since ’22 in Italy 2 billion assets frozen to Russians
“Since February 2022, the Guardia di Finanza has launched investigations into over 1,600 people. Buildings, vehicles, planes, works of art, boats, land and company shares were confiscated to the value of around two billion euros, relating to 23 people and three entities in the Chamber on the so-called freezing measures affecting the system for preventing and countering the financing of terrorism and the activities of countries that threaten peace and international security, such as the Russian oligarchs.